Destiny Child's latest CD Survivor is meant to be an epic album full of anthems of Women's Courage and Independence. But it's all shallow. Independent Women Parts I and II is all about women making money, lots of money, to buy jewelry and cars without relying on a man's money. Nice, but is wealth the sole measure of independence?

Okay, forget the lyrics. Forget the irritating self-congratulatory nonsense like the Outro which has our three ladies vowing that nothing will come between them (I'll wait until the next break-up and member rearrangement). There are some beautiful pieces like The Gospel Medley. And Independent Women Part I is a fabulous song.

But there are too many songs crafted in the same repetitious mode alaIndependent Women Part I. A rapidly sung chant-like verse, a chorus that has all three ladies chanting a line or two again and again ("I'm a Survivor! I'm a Survivor!" or "All the women who are independent - throws your hands up at me! All the honeys makin' money - throw yours hands up at me!" - take your pick). And underneath the slick lipgloss pop perfection, there's very little else to chew on. Unless, of course, you like to hear Beyoncé Knowles screeching her lungs out. Wonder how long the other two gals will be content to stay in the background. Heh heh heh.